Master of Arts in Design and Innovation (MDI) - How To Apply

To start your application, please click on the Online application link below, and then register as a new user or log in with an existing username and password. Helpful tips before completing the application.

After you register, please complete the online application, which includes the following steps:

1. Upload Your Documents - during the application, you will be asked to submit a statement of purpose and resume.
   • To help you prepare your documents, please follow the instructions detailed on the “Document Guidelines”.
2. Recommender Contact Information - you will be asked to provide the name and email of two recommenders who will be sent recommendation requests once you complete your online application.
   
   • You will be asked to indicate whether you waive your right to view and access these recommendations per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Your choice will be disclosed to your recommenders in the recommendation request.
   • Your recommendation requests will not be sent until you submit your application and pay the application fee, so applicants are advised to submit their online applications early to give their recommenders ample time to complete and submit those recommendations by the deadline.
3. Application fee – $70 non-refundable payment by credit card

Online Application

After completing your online application, please submit official academic records/transcripts:

• Transcripts are required from ALL institutions that you have attended, not only those from which you earned a degree:
  
  • All courses taken at other colleges and universities previously attended, even if the course work was not completed.
  • All college courses in which you are currently enrolled (these are your preliminary, work-in-progress transcripts).
  • Your final transcripts for work-in-progress as soon as you complete the courses and grades are posted.
• Previous CSUN students do not need to request CSUN transcripts, and should only submit transcripts for additional course work completed after leaving CSUN.
• Be sure to notify us of any prior names under which you may possess a transcript.

• Electronic Transcripts:

  Send directly from your school/electronic service/approved vendor to registrar@csun.edu OR by selecting Tseng College-CSUN, if the option is available.*

  If you attended a California community college, your institution might be able to send e-transcripts on your behalf, free of charge. Please visit the eTranscript California page to determine your eligibility.

  *electronic transcripts received directly from the student are considered unofficial

• Paper Transcripts:

  If electronic transcripts are not an option, then paper transcripts must be received in the unopened envelopes, sealed by the institution(s) of study. Ask your previous schools to send your official transcripts directly to us at the address below:

  Tseng College
  California State University, Northridge
  18111 Nordhoff Street
  Northridge, California 91330-8343
• Please do not send identical, duplicate paper and electronic transcripts.

When submitting transcripts, please include two official copies: one in the original language and one in an official English translation.*

In addition to the above requirements, applicants with a degree from outside the United States must also submit the following:

• Official or certified copy of TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores – Scores can either be sent electronically to CSUN’s school code (4707) or mailed to the address below:
  
  Tseng College
  California State University, Northridge
  18111 Nordhoff Street
  Northridge, CA 91330-8343

Note: Degrees from outside the United States must be equivalent to a U.S. 4-year degree.

If you attended an institution that does not report course grades in a letter format corresponding to a four-point numerical scale (i.e. A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0), you must submit the results of a third-party official transcript evaluation. Visit the NACES home page to obtain a listing of member evaluation services.

 
*Translations must be completed by a member of the American Translators Association; a certified court interpreter or translator; or a staff member of a foreign consulate.

After submitting your application, you will receive an email within 2-3 business days containing your username, CSUN email address, and student ID.* Please follow the email’s instructions to activate your CSUN email account and gain access to the MyCSUN Portal.

Note: If you are a returning student or reapplying, please use your existing CSUN username and password.

CSUN alumni: please note that by default all communications will be sent to your existing CSUN email (which you may or may not have used since you graduated). Information on how to access/reset that email can be found here: https://www.csun.edu/it/accounts-passwords

 
*If you do not receive an activation email from the Tseng College, please contact tsengarc@csun.edu.

Please regularly check your CSUN email for updates. The university uses this email for all communications, including notification of whether you are accepted into the program.

To reiterate: Updates on your application status will only be sent to your CSUN email account.

Along with your CSUN email, you should regularly use the MyCSUN Portal to access important information and complete necessary tasks. The portal is where you can find your student schedule and access or update your personal and academic records.